Gail Ormsby

“The Language of Silences: A Whispered Love Story” by Gail Ormsby

The rhythmic tap of Arthur's cane echoed on the cobblestone path, his steps slower than the scurrying pigeons dodging his feet. But his gait continued. His destination, bathed in the morning sun, warmed him more than the spring air.  Every Tuesday, Arthur looked forward to their ritual. Not a date, mind you, not in the youthful sense. A shared cup of tea, a comfortable silence punctuated by gentle chatter, a window into each other's well-worn lives. He'd known her for half a century, their paths intertwining like the ivy creeping up the...

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“Echoes of Dust: Unearthing the Past in a Digital Age ” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #236

The year was 2124, and Anya was on a quest to uncover the secrets of her family's heirloom, the "Personal Computer." The ancient device was said to have accessed a vast digital sea called the "Internet," a concept archaic to Anya's generation. She had spent years deciphering the device's password puzzle but had yet to find a way to do so. Years of Anya's tinkering had yielded nothing. Deciphering ancient manuals and scouring virtual archives, she'd pieced together fragments of the password puzzle: a childhood nickname, a beloved pet's name, ...

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““Echoes of Tomorrow: The Unseen Legacy”” by Gail Ormsby

In the heart of the bustling city stood a man known to all as Jonathan Crane, a figure of success and modernity. His life was a series of calculated steps, each taken with a chess grandmaster's precision. He was the epitome of forward-thinking, his eyes always set on the horizon, never behind. Jonathan's lack of nostalgia was not born from a disdain for the past but rather from a conscious choice. He believed that dwelling on bygone days was a distraction, a hindrance to the present's potential and the future's promises. His philosophy was s...

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“Beneath the Shadow of Wind” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #235

Raindrops lashed against the window, mirroring the storm brewing inside Elias. His once-gleaming running shoes lay abandoned by the door, a stark reminder of the cruel twist fate had dealt him. A few months ago, Elias was a blur of motion on the track, a symphony of wind and pounding feet. Now, his legs felt like leaden weights, his breath a ragged wheeze. Elias, a man carved from the wind, his lungs accustomed to the rhythmic song of his own strides, woke up one morning to a chilling silence. Not the quiet of a snowfall nor the hush of a st...

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“Whispers of Phoenix” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #233

Elara, at the cusp of twenty-five, felt like a wilting flower trapped in a Victorian greenhouse. Once vibrant and adventurous, her spirit had grown brittle under the relentless sun of societal expectations. Her hometown, a quaint village nestled amidst rolling hills, offered little solace for a soul yearning for the wild symphony of the world beyond. The rigid social code, the suffocating air of gossip, and unfulfilled dreams conspired to cage her restless spirit. Literature was her escape, her passport to fantastical lands where the dragons...

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“Symphony of Serendipity” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #231

Eliza, bathed in the confetti-fueled light of the descending spud, feels the collective anticipation crackling around her. Her gaze was glued to the oversized tuber's descent, atop the Idaho Captial building and her mind spun with possibilities for the new year's nascent canvas. What stories will this blank page hold? Will it blossom with vibrant colors of triumph and joy or be etched with the soft grey tones of introspection and quiet change? The final seconds before midnight ticked by each tick carrying the weight of a thousand memories an...

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“ The Curiosities of Cactus Creek: A List-Based Adventure” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #230

A tumbleweed whispers secrets through the dusty streets of Cactus Creek, a sun-bleached town clinging to the edge of nowhere. Its population: ten misfits, ten stories waiting to unravel. Sheriff June is sharp as a coyote's grin and weathered by desert winds. Her trusty revolver, Calamity Jane, purrs against her hip, keeping the peace amongst the bar brawls and tumbleweed tumbleweeds. In the ramshackle diner, Amelia fries up dreams on a greasy grill. Her spatula conducts a symphony of sizzling bacon and clinking mugs, fueling the town's gossi...

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“Whispers of Emerald” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #230

In the whispering heart of Emerald Valley, shrouded in the emerald embrace of ancient sequoia, nestled the quaint bookstore, "Whispers of Time." Its facade, weathered by whispers of a thousand autumns, bore a faded inscription: "Where stories find whispers, and whispers find you." Inside, the air held the musty scent of aged paper, sunlight filtering through stained glass windows, painting the floor in kaleidoscopic hues. Here, amidst towering shelves groaning with the weight of tales untold, resided Eleanor, the bookstore's enigmatic owner....

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“A survivor of exam week” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #223

Exam season was in full swing, and the air was tense. At the university, Students everywhere were spending most of their time hunched over books and laptops, cramming for their upcoming tests. Which often lasts from a week to 2 weeks, depending on how many subjects they took. Anya was no exception. She had been studying for weeks, but she still felt like she didn't know enough. To pass this chemistry test, she worried over every test, even the tiny quizzes. Anya carried a 4.0, but she always pushed herself so hard. Anya always studied until ...

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“An apprentice Frist day” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #222

Maya stood in front of the large glass doors of the tech company, her heart pounding in her chest. It was the first day of her apprenticeship, and she was so excited and nervous. She had always dreamed of working in technology, and now her dream was finally coming true. She took a deep breath and pushed open the doors. The lobby was bright and airy, with a modern design and a friendly receptionist. Maya checked in with the HR Department and was given a badge and a building map. Maya followed the map to the engineering department, where she w...

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“The Unlikely Guide” by Gail Ormsby

Anya was lost. She had lost her job, her apartment, and her friends. She was living on the streets and didn't know where to turn. One day, Anya was sitting on a park bench, feeling hopeless. She saw a pigeon land on the bench next to her. The pigeon looked at Anya with its wise, old eyes. "Hello," the pigeon said. "My name is Percy. What's yours?" Anya was stunned. She couldn't believe that a pigeon was talking to her. "My name is Anya," she said. "What are you doing here?" "I'm here to help you," Percy said. "I know you're lost, and I'm her...

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“A Love/Hate Relationship” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #222

Alex had a love/hate relationship with their mentor, Professor Chen. On the one hand, Chen was a brilliant scientist who had helped Alex achieve so much. Alex had started their research as a graduate student under Chen's guidance, and Chen had pushed him to be His best. With Chen's help, Alex made groundbreaking discoveries in artificial intelligence. On the other hand, Chen was a demanding and often cruel mentor. Chen expected perfection from Alex and quickly criticized him when he fell short. Chen also had a habit of taking credit for Alex...

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“The Guardian of the Silver Spheres” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #220

The heat of the desert sun beat down on Sarah's head as she walked across the barren landscape. She had been walking for hours, and her feet were starting to ache. Sarah was beginning to lose hope. She had been lost in the desert for days and had no idea where she was going. Suddenly, her foot caught on something in the sand and tripped over an object. Sarah fell to the ground, and her hand landed on a smooth, metallic object. She picked it up and examined it. It was a small, silver sphere about the size of her fist. "That shouldn't be here,...

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“The Secret Watcher ” by Gail Ormsby

Alice lived in a small village. She was a kind, curious girl who loved exploring the woods near her home. One day, Alice was walking through the woods when she came across a strange old tree. The tree was gnarled and twisted, and it had a hollow trunk. Alice was curious, so she peered inside the tree. To her surprise, Alice saw a pair of eyes staring back at her. The eyes were bright and intelligent, and they seemed to be watching her. Alice was startled at first but quickly realized that the eyes were not threatening. In fact, she felt a st...

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“The Nightmare Cell ” by Gail Ormsby

I slowly woke up. I went to turn onto my side and almost fell off the bed. My head was pounding. I began to wonder where am I and how did I get here. My eyes began to adjust to the darkness. I could not believe I was in a prison cell, which wasn't normal. It was dark and cramped, with the walls covered in strange symbols and runes. The only light came from a single flickering candle in the center of the cell. I tried to stand up with shaky legs, which felt like rubber, but I stood up and brushed myself off. I was shocked that I was in prison...

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